Walking into snag yeshives, one can think that these sanctimonious pietists were always wrapped "b'itztula d'kedusha" and had a tzureh of a yid, a ben toyreh - especially in der alter heim. So here we introduce to you, the GQ Ben Toyreh, who put "gadlus ho'odom" before "gadlus haboyrey," or even before "gadlus hazokeyn." (Click on thumbnails to enlarge.)

Rav Aron Kotler:

Rav Shneur Kotler:

Rav Shach:

 (Like picture of Mendel MH"M Schneersohn, without yarmulke or hat. But at least in that picture, MH"M has a full beard. [See: http://mentalblog.com/2005/12/report-card-of-lubavitcher-rebbe.html ] .It may be that Rav Shach's beard didn't grow in fully yet.)

Rav Ruderman (aka Futerfas, from Mendel Futerfas' family) of Ner Yisroel:

Rav Hutner, #1:

Rav Hutner, #2:

(Shimi Deitsch printed in "Larger Than Life" a solo picture of Rav Hutner in Berlin without a beard.)

Rav Steinmen:

Rav Elye Shvei:

Rav Aryeh Malin of Beys Hatalmud:

Rav Shmuel Rozovsky of Ponovitch:

Hat-tip to: http://personal.stevens.edu/~llevine/young_gedolim.html

- Z.I.Y.

(-Sent via email. I would like to remain anonymous, so those who might know who I am…)

Remember, what for most of us was a first thanksgiving dinner? I thought, should I put on a white shirt? Starch my collar? Bring wine? What the fuck is a thanksgiving dinner.

There we were,

Fifteen of us,

Two years before most of us had looked like your run of the mill Lubavitchers.

A few of us, such as I, on that night, were new

to utopia 888.

Two strong scenes mingle with the smell of that turkey, and salads,

We were sitting on the floor in a circle.

music was softly playing, and then somebody shut off.

Somebody else began a niggun, I forget which.

Could have been Tzomo Lecho nafshi

We sang like we never sang before,

at least in this way, without them, without the restrictions, without the angry faces, just us, as we were.

I felt at ease for the first time in years.

A few of us read poems and then each of us gave thanksgiving.

After being at other thanksgiving dinners in the years following, on that night, there was a note of thanksgiving in the air for God allowing us to  join with others with like fates

We knew that there were many before  us who were not so lucky.

and most of us expresed this, sitting on the floor, inebriated and stoned.

 A few of the girls then expressed shock at the rumours about a few of the guys present.

One girl said, "I was told you were a terrible person, and now I see how deep and pnimiyusdik you are.

Most of us have moved on.

Be it, to the frum or secular worlds,

But none of us can deny, the great power of love those days and nights gave us, to the chagrin of all of Crown Heights and their Rabbis. 

Hello NORML Supporters, [we need your help!]NORML has teamed up with ‘Artists in Action’ to make a commonsensepolitical statement aimed at both Washington, DC policymakers and themedia.  The purpose of this event is to utilize the creative arts’transcendent powers and ability to communicate ongoing social conflicts tothe masses.A chance to make history!NORML Foundation has reserved Freedom Plaza in Washington D.C. onSaturday, October 25th 2008.  With your help, along with a group ofartists, we are hoping to produce a major art and media event called “ACelebration of Freedom.” We plan to construct a sculpture titled,“America’s Largest Joint” on the plaza along with a Marijuana-inspiredmural.All of the mainstream and art-centric media will be invited and there willbe live Internet coverage. NORML Foundation will provide entertainment,information about marijuana prohibition and convene a preview press party.We are anticipating a lot of media attention, and a large audience both onFreedom Plaza, and on the Internet.  This will be followed by a privateexhibition and silent auction of related works of art in a nearby venue.NORML is concerned that the important policy issue of Congress adoptingalternatives to marijuana prohibition may not receive enough mediaattention in the run-up to this historic presidential election andtherefore are hoping to accomplish this before November 4th.  The purposeof this social justice activism production in downtown Washington, DC isto focus attention on the issue of reforming marijuana laws.In order to ensure a successful venture, we must get commitments frompotential sponsors and volunteers by the first week in August.If you would like to be one of the exhibited artists on display or wouldlike more information on being a sponsor, please contactsabrina@norml.org.p.s.  Puff-puff…Pass this on

unfortunately it won't be able, to be smoked.

Two sets of comments caught my attention and shocked me a bit. I cannot remember a time when religious people were this accepting and open about these things.

Here are some comments from a Chaptzem post about craiglist hookups in the Ultra-Orthodox community,

this problem exists in monsey ,eer hakodesh of lakewood and monroe too.does not phase me any more. -Lakewood coffee Room

Yes I am someone with this problem and working on it. CHIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLL!!!! - Anonymous

Welcome to the real world frum or not frum there is crazy stuff going on here in flatbush and I am sorry to say I am part of it and pray that my wife is not!! -Anonymous

Hey, can someone tell me how to get on Craig's List??? I want to meet this guy! Perhaps he is MY Bashert!!! -Anonymous

some of you people here sound like you just came off the boat
you cant amagine whats going on out there in the world with frum people
in bars whore houses social clubs and video shops
they are a dime a dozen
guys just dont hurt anyone
have fun enjoy
brooklyner, see you there

-Anonymoys

hey just if you can tell me 8th ave and what
there are times the need arises and i must go on the interenet to look for things thank anyone please tell me.-boro parker

And here are comments on a nanach guy singing a nanach song. (for those who don't know, Yesod , the kabbalistic sephirah representing the phallus.)

this is holy and beautiful and will bring redemption… you are holy and perfect
-nachlaot girl

ladaiaesma wrote,
I also see something very sexy and holy here… GETS MY INSIDES FLOWING AND FLUTTERING

veriktet wrote,
My nanach boyfriend told me that this guy playing the guitar has a huge, huge Yesod! really big and very thick it is also very able. nanachs rule
-nachlaot girl

veriktet wrote,
na nach nachlaot nachlaot girl!

Nekaivah123 wrote,
Nachlaot Girl,
you sure are wild. I have seen this guy in Yerushalayim, I think last year. It's so hot when somebody this religious is so so hot and HUGE!

Could you embrace that?

I said to God, “Let me love you.”

And he replied, “Which part?”

“All of you, all of you.” I said.

“Dear” God spoke, “You are as a mouse wanting to impregnate

a tiger who is not even in heat. It is a feat way

beyond your courage and strength.

You would run from me

if I removed my

mask.”

I said to God again,

“Beloved I need to love you – every aspect, every pore.”

And this time God said,

“There is a hideous blemish on my body,

though it is such an infinitesimal part of my Being-

could you kiss that if it were revealed?”

“I will try, Lord, I will try.”

And then God said,

“That blemish is all the hatred and

 cruelty in this

 world.”

Nick Kristof of the NYT reflects on life on the farm:

Our cattle, sheep, chickens and goats certainly had individual personalities, but not such interesting ones that it bothered me that they might end up in a stew. Pigs were more troubling because of their unforgettable characters and obvious intelligence. To this day, when tucking into a pork chop, I always feel as if it is my intellectual equal.

Then there were the geese, the most admirable creatures I’ve ever met. We raised Chinese white geese, a common breed, and they have distinctive personalities. They mate for life and adhere to family values that would shame most of those who dine on them.

While one of our geese was sitting on her eggs, her gander would go out foraging for food — and if he found some delicacy, he would rush back to give it to his mate. Sometimes I would offer males a dish of corn to fatten them up — but it was impossible, for they would take it all home to their true loves.

Once a month or so, we would slaughter the geese. When I was 10 years old, my job was to lock the geese in the barn and then rush and grab one. Then I would take it out and hold it by its wings on the chopping block while my Dad or someone else swung the ax.

The 150 geese knew that something dreadful was happening and would cower in a far corner of the barn, and run away in terror as I approached. Then I would grab one and carry it away as it screeched and struggled in my arms.

Very often, one goose would bravely step away from the panicked flock and walk tremulously toward me. It would be the mate of the one I had caught, male or female, and it would step right up to me, protesting pitifully. It would be frightened out of its wits, but still determined to stand with and comfort its lover.

–NYT

Questions (to those that care):

To what extent are kosher laws intended to protect animals from suffering?

Do the animals not bleed? Is not their blood red? Who can claim they haven't a soul among them?

Can I move to a district where one of these geese is mayor?

ain od milvadoh   

Gentiles singing Lipa's Sheloi Osani Goy ( the prayers Jews say in the morning thanking God for not having been made a Gentile) A bit sadistic? Like al nahros bovel, but I guess they don't know what the words mean. I have to admit I got this from chaptzem.blogspot.com

Stanzas Of The Soul That Suffers With Longing To See God

I live, but not in myself,
and I have such hope
that I die because I do not die.

1. I no longer live within myself
and I cannot live without God,
for having neither him nor myself
what will life be?
It will be a thousand deaths,
longing for my true life
and dying because I do not die.

2. This life that I live
is no life at all,
and so I die continually
until I live with you;
hear me, my God:
I do not desire this life,
I am dying because I do not die.

3. When I am away from you
what life can I have
except to endure
the bitterest death known?
I pity myself,
for I go on and on living,
dying because I do not die.

4. A fish that leaves the water
has this relief:
the dying it endures
ends at last in death.
What death can equal my pitiable life?
For the longer I live, the more drawn out is my dying.

5. When I try to find relief
seeing you in the Sacrament,
I find this greater sorrow:
I cannot enjoy you wholly.
All things are affliction
since I do not see you as I desire,
and I die because I do not die.

6. And if I rejoice, Lord,
in the hope of seeing you,
yet seeing I can lose you
doubles my sorrow.
Living in such fear
and hoping as I hope,
I die because I do not die.

7. Lift me from this death,
my God, and give me life;
do not hold me bound
with these bonds so strong;
see how I long to see you;
my wretchedness is so complete
that I die because I do not die.

8. I will cry out for death
and mourn my living
while I am held here
for my sins.
O my God, when will it be
that I can truly say:
now I live because I do not die?